Pensioner convicted of harassing Martin Shaw

An "unhinged" 66-year-old woman was today convicted of harassing television actor Martin Shaw after pouring petrol through the letterbox of his girlfriend.

Sandra Price, of Hingham, Norfolk, sent a series of "offensive" and "intrusive" letters to the 63-year-old star of Judge John Deed and The Professionals.

Price was found guilty at King's Lynn Magistrates' Court of harassing Shaw and his partner, Karen da Silva, over a five-year period between January 2003 and July 2008.

District Judge Tim Daber ruled that an incident in which Price poured petrol through the letterbox of Ms da Silva's home in Hingham was part of a prolonged campaign of harassment against Shaw and Ms da Silva.

"I'm quite satisfied that this was a part of a sustained course of conduct and not part of an isolated incident," said Judge Daber.

The court heard Price sent a series of letters to Shaw following the break-up of his marriage offering to "heal" him.

She also delivered a 45-minute audio tape to the actor's home, in Hingham, and left a 120-page dossier detailing his career and her views about him on his doorstep.

Judge Daber said: "Mr Shaw describes the letters he received as offensive and intrusive and describes his feeling of insecurity as a result of the totality of Mrs Price's conduct."

During the case, it emerged that Price had regularly walked past the homes of Shaw and Ms da Silva - about a quarter of a mile apart - and had also often parked her car close to Shaw's 17th century home.

On one occasion Shaw saw Price hiding in a ditch in a field outside his property and was also confronted by her at a nearby airfield.

"Mrs Price must have known, or ought to have known, that her conduct caused Mr Shaw and Ms da Silva harassment."

As he left court Shaw said: "I am happy it's over. I thought it was conducted fairly and diligently on both sides.

"I think justice was done. I'm glad it's over. I hope that this ends now and Mrs Price finds some peace."

Price, who will be sentenced later this month, was warned she may go to prison.

"At this stage I cannot rule out any sentencing option but I can't say custody is inevitable in this case," said Judge Daber.